Universal music artists get access to AI voice mixing tool in new UMG deal with tech startup SoundLabs

Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced a new partnership with SoundLabs, an AI technology company specializing in ‘behavioral’ trained tools for music creators.

The collaboration will equip UMG artists and producers with AI technology through use SoundLabs‘ MicDropAI voice plug-in, UMG announced on Tuesday (June 18).

MicDrop, which will launch this summer, is a real-time vocal plug-in that allows artists to create highly accurate vocal models using their vocal data.

Unlike other AI tools, artists retain complete ownership and intelligent control over their models. MicDrop is compatible with all major digital audio channels and comes in AU, VST3, and AAX formats.

The tool enables artists to perform various voice conversions such as voice-to-voice, voice-to-instrument, speech-to-singing, and language conversion.

SoundLabs was founded by a Grammy-nominated producer and composer, software developer, and electronic musician. BT. With a career spanning over 25 years, BT has worked with many A-list artists including David Bowie, Madonna, Sting, Cutie’s Death Cab, Peter Gabriel, and Seal, and scored #1 hits and award-winning films. Oscars like these. A monster again Fast and Furious.

“Artificial intelligence, when used correctly and trained accordingly, has the promethean ability to unlock unimaginable new insights…

BT, SoundLabs

As a software developer, BT has created more productive music tools $70 million in gross sales. He has developed and patented audio plugins such as Stutter Edit, BreakTweaker (Zotope), Polaris, and Phobos (Spitfire Audio), among others.

“It is a great honor to work with the forward-thinking and creative Universal Music Group. We believe that the future of music creation is considered human,” said BT.

“Artificial intelligence, when used correctly and trained harmoniously, has the promethean ability to unlock new creative insights, reduce friction in the creative process and democratize creativity for artists, fans, and creators of all stripes. We don’t design tools not to bring in human artists, but to enhance human creativity.”

The SoundLabs founding team also includes software developers Joshua Dickinson again Dr. Michael Hetrick of Unfiltered The sound.

UMG said the partnership is in line with its commitment to using AI effectively in music. The company recently partnered with a metal maker Roland – known for synthesizers and drum machines, among other things – to establish Principles of Music Creation with AIpromotes transparency and control of artists in this evolving industry.

Commenting on the new deal with SoundLabs, Chris HortonSVP, Strategic Technology at Universal Music said, “UMG strives to keep artists at the center of our AI strategy, so that technology is used to serve the art, rather than the other way around.”

“BT understands how performers view and value their voices, and SoundLabs will allow UMG musicians to push the boundaries of creativity using Voice-to-voice AI to sing in non-speaking languages, dance with their little ones, restore voice recordings incomplete, and more.”

Chris HortonWorld Music Group

“We are delighted to be working with SoundLabs and BT, who have a deep and personal understanding of both the technical and ethical issues associated with AI. With direct experience as a musician and collaboration with many vocal collaborators, BT understands how performers view and value their voices, and SoundLabs will allow UMG musicians to push the boundaries of creativity using Voice-to-voice AI to sing in languages ​​they don’t speak. , play dances with their little ones, restore incomplete recordings, and more.”

The partnership with SoundLabs comes as UMG continues to campaign for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the music industry. Back in October, UMG partnered with it BandLab Technologyis the parent company of the social music creation platform BandLabwith what they call an “extensive, industry-first strategic partnership focused on artificial intelligence.”

That partnership sought to “enhance the companies’ shared commitment to [the] fair use of AI and protection of artist and songwriter rights,” UMG said at the time.

UMG is also among the major music companies campaigning for the exploitation of music for AI development without proper permission, credit, or compensation. I International Association of Music Publishersof which UMG is a part, presents an online resource called RightsAndAI.com in April, where copyright holders can reserve their rights for illegal exploitation of their works.

Music Business Worldwide